Why is it better for a boy to be circumcised?

There are many reasons. Click here for a full explanation

Do I need a referral from my doctor to have a circumcision for myself or my son?

No. This is a privately paid procedure which you elect to have performed on yourself or your sons. Babies, boys and teenagers need to have both parents sign their consent on a form which we will provide when the appointment is made. One parent must also accompany a baby, boy or teenager up to the age of sixteen.

Will my doctor be informed?

Not usually, unless you ask, whereupon you will be given a note to pass to your GP confirming when the procedure was performed. Thus it can be entered on your or your son's medical record, if you so wish.

When our son was born, we asked our GP to circumcise him or refer for the operation. We have no religious or medical reason, just personal preference, but our request was refused. Can he have it done at Custom House?

Certainly. Circumcisions are not available on the NHS unless there is a medical reason. Although most circumcisions at Custom House are carried out privately in accordance with our fees, Dr Zarifa does operate on NHS referrals. Note, from an area in East London, which the NHS designates. You can check to se if you are eligible.

How old does my baby boy have to be before he can be circumcised?

We do occasionally have mothers who book an appointment and plan to call on their way home after discharge from the maternity ward! However, babies do not always arrive on their ‘due day’. Because of this uncertainty it might not always be convenient to yourself or Custom House. You can always check if we are operating that day. If so, we may be able to accommodate your son.

Jewish boys are traditionally circumcised on the eighth day after birth and a party is held at home to celebrate the event. Dr Zarifa does not do home circumcisions.

Generally, if the baby is in normal good health, it is best to have him circumcised as soon as possible, within the first week or two, when he has established his routine. However, boys can be circumcised at any age. Do bear in mind that the older your son is, the more painful, fearful, and upsetting it can be for him. Babies, circumcised after the first few weeks, when the penis is more developed, may need stitches and take slightly longer to heal.

Toddlers, up to the age of two or three, generally cope and recover very well from being circumcised. Beyond that age, it may leave some boys with an unhappy memory and you will need to explain why it is necessary. Matching this to his level of understanding can be difficult.

If you do delay into early childhood, it is a good idea to have your son circumcised well before starting or changing school. This gives him chance to be healed, settled, and used to it before term starts. Older boys can be very embarrassed by the experience.

How painful will it be for him?

Dr Zarifa administers an effective local anaesthetic to ensure the actual circumcision is painless. Initially, your son may feel the needle go in, but after that, nothing.

The stitches (if necessary) are tiny and self removing. Basically, they dissolve, disintegrate or rub away. There may be swelling and a little soreness as healing progresses. It may be a good idea to pad an older boy’s underpants to avoid knocks. He may need time to adjust to the feel of underpants touching the permanently exposed glans.

How can I prepare my son for his circumcision?

If your boy is of an age when you can communicate with him, you will need to explain briefly what will happen, why it is being done, and that afterwards he may be a bit sore. Assure him he will soon heal and become used to his 'new' penis. Keep the discussion short and simple and appropriate to his age. Try not to share any anxieties you may have. Be positive. Do not tell him about the appointment too far in advance, so he has less time to worry about it. If his father, brothers or other family and friends are circumcised, point out he is going to be like them. If it is being done for a medical reason, explain how this little operation will cure his pain and problem.

How long will it take?

Quite often, and particularly during school holidays, we run dedicated circumcision clinics where several boys are circumcised in a session. Your place in this group will be allocated on arrival. The procedure, after allowing for the anaesthetic to work, lasts only a few minutes. Following this, you are required to stay on for half an hour or so, to check there is no excess bleeding and your son has urinated satisfactorily.

How do I care for the circumcision afterwards

All patients or parents of babies and boys are given a sheet of aftercare instructions. In addition, Dr Zarifa provides a telephone number to contact in the unlikely event that you have concerns not covered. if you have any further questions, do ask when you attend.

I'm an adult who was circumcised routinely as a baby but I've never been happy with the loose result. Can it be improved?

Probably. Dr Zarifa makes a careful examination at the mandatory consultation, discusses a patient's wishes in detail, and explains what might be achieved by drawing a personal diagram, to which you sign your agreement. The scope for improvement depends on how the previous procedure was done. You need to be aware that an adult circumcision or re-do circumcision can never achieve the same neat stitch-less result which is possible on young babies.

Does Dr Zarifa remove the frenulum as part of the circumcision procedure?

Yes, as a matter of routine - unless you especially ask for it to be retained. If you have previously been circumcised elsewhere, and the frenulum was left, it can be removed as a simple, separate, less expensive procedure (see fees).

I'm due to be married soon and will adopt the religion of my fiancée which requires that I be circumcised. How far ahead of the wedding do I need to book in order to be healed enough to have intercourse on our honeymoon?

To be certain, the earlier the better. People recover from circumcision at different rates according to their healing disposition and general health. Two months should be enough, providing you avoid any infection. People generally report an ability to have gentle sexual relations at between a month to six weeks after the operation. Nothing is guaranteed.

My baby's father is American and he was circumcised as a baby - its what they mostly do over there. When our son was born here in the UK, I asked for him to be circumcised but my request was dismissed as 'purely cosmetic'. My GP also gave me a lecture on how it's 'quite unnecessary'. What is the attitude at Custom House?

Dr Zarifa and his staff are not judgemental on this issue. You will be met with a friendly welcome and not be asked why you want the procedure done. Parents often have deeply personal reasons for wanting their boys circumcised. The medical profession has divided opinions on circumcision, just as parents do. You have a legal right to take this decision on behalf of your son and your wishes are respected at Custom House.

My son is 7 and due to be circumcised soon. Will he need to miss school?

Are you aware we run circumcision clinics during the school holidays? This gives time for boys to recover without missing term time. Otherwise, it is sensible to let them rest up at home and avoid boistrous play and games until they are healed. This should only take a week or so, maybe less. You might need to write a letter to the school asking that he opts out of sport for a short while. Be guided by your instinct and how he seems. Some toddlers appear quite unaffected by the experience and you might have a slight problem restraining them from activity! Pad their underwear for protection.

I am thinking of having a circumcision, will I need time off work to recover and for how long?

A lot depends on your job. If it involves a lot of strenuous activity you might want to take a few days off work. Others, in sedentary occupations, find they don't need to do so. Be guided by how you feel.